biometrics

[bahy-uh-me-triks] /ˌbaɪ əˈmɛ trɪks/
noun, (used with a singular verb)
1.
Biology, Statistics. biostatistics.
2.
biometry (def 1).
3.
the process by which a person's unique physical and other traits are detected and recorded by an electronic device or system as a means of confirming identity:
Scanning of the human iris is a reliable form of biometrics.
Origin
1900-05; biometr(y) + -ics
Related forms
biometric, biometrical, adjective
biometrically, adverb
Examples from the web for biometrics
  • He applied statistical methods to the study of evolution and heredity and called this science biometrics.
  • biometrics are sure to grow in importance for both governments and companies.
  • The use of biometrics to identify voters, being tested this year, should cut out impersonation too.
  • biometrics has promise but the technologies are neither standardized nor ubiquitous.
  • To be sure, the idea of using biometrics to provide marketing insight isn't new.
  • biometrics is the science of using one or more unique physical characteristics or behavioral traits to identify individuals.
  • Using biometrics for identifying human beings offers some unique advantages because only biometrics can identify you as you.
  • biometrics could make keys and combination locks obsolete.
  • All data, including biometrics is vulnerable whether in storage or in processing state.
British Dictionary definitions for biometrics

biometry

/baɪˈɒmɪtrɪ/
noun (functioning as sing)
1.
  1. the analysis of biological data using mathematical and statistical methods
  2. the practice of digitally scanning the physiological or behavioural characteristics of individuals as a means of identification
2.
the statistical calculation of the probable duration of human life
Derived Forms
biometrically, adverb
Word Origin and History for biometrics
n.

"application of mathematics to biology," 1902, from biometric (also see -ics); slightly earlier in this sense was biometry (1901), which was coined by Whewell and used by him and others with a sense of "calculation of life expectancy" (1831).

biometrics in Culture

biometrics definition


The measuring and analysis of such physical attributes as facial features and voice or retinal scans. This technology can be used to define an individual's unique identity, often for security purposes.

Note: Software is available that can match faces of individuals videotaped on the street to the picture of a suspected criminal or terrorist in a database. The use of biometrics is likely to increase in the future as security concerns become more of a priority for both governments and corporations following the September 11 attacks (2001).
biometrics in Technology
security, hardware
The use of special input devices to analyse some physical parameter assumed to be unique to an individual, in order to confirm their identity as part of an authentication procedure.
Examples include fingerprint scanning, iris recognition, facial recognition, voice recognition (speaker recognition), signature, vascular pattern recognition.
(https://www.findbiometrics.com/Pages/guide2.html).
(2007-02-22)